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Puerto Vallarta
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Travel and Outdoors

Travel and Outdoors

Although best known as a beach resort, Puerto Vallarta is one of the most versatile adventure travel destinations in the world. Nestled between the jungle-covered Sierra Madre Mountains and the sheltered waters of Banderas Bay, this region’s geographical diversity offers an extremely wide variety of natural attractions and outdoor adventures.

Unlike many other popular beach vacation resorts, Puerto Vallarta is actually several destinations in one. Situated on the Pacific Coast of Mexico just south of Baja California, the Banderas Bay area offers more than 34 miles of incomparable coastline in the states of Jalisco and Nayarit – and innumerable activities that are affordable and easily accessible.

For those who just want to relax, miles and miles of beautiful golden sand beaches offer one of the best ways to experience the beauty and magic of the Bay of Banderas. And with 322 days of sunshine annually and an average temperature of 80 degrees F, Puerto Vallarta is one of the few places on Earth that can boast an “ideal” climate for sun worshipers.

With picture-perfect weather and extraordinary natural beauty, outdoor recreation around the bay is limitless. Traditional sports like golf and tennis are unforgettable. This region is one of Mexico’s leading golf destinations with golf courses designed by some of the world’s greatest golfers including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf and Robert von Hagge.

Puerto Vallarta is also a major tennis destination with a growing number of tennis clubs, classes, workshops and tournaments each year. Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, sailing whale watching and sportsfishing await you in the warm, clear waters of Banderas Bay and the Mexican Pacific.

On land you can explore the Sierra Madre Mountains and jungles on an exciting excursion provided by one of the area’s many professional tour operators. If you prefer to do a little exploring on your own, the quiet pleasures and local colors of Mexico are waiting to be discovered in a variety of unique and inviting fishing villages and beachside retreats.

A recent Travel and Leisure Magazine Readers’ Survey listed Puerto Vallarta as the number one beach destination in Latin America because of the wide variety of beach communities and sleepy seaside villages around the bay. During your stay, be sure to explore these towns and enjoy a genuine taste of the real Mexico.

• BELOW THE FOLD •

New Pier Coming to Mismaloya to Boost Tourism and Access

The iconic beach of Mismaloya in Puerto Vallarta is set to receive a new pier, bringing modern improvements while honoring its rich history and natural beauty. The project, already in its early stages, is part of a broader plan to improve maritime connectivity in the region through a proposed nautical staircase.

Vallarta Airport’s New Terminal Reaches 45% Completion

Puerto Vallarta Airport’s new terminal is 45% complete, promising to boost capacity by 130% and meet tourism demand for the next 20 years. With modern design and streamlined operations, the expansion marks a key step toward the city’s future as a top destination.

New Los Angeles to Nayarit Flight Boosts Tourism and Connectivity

Nayarit is set to receive its first international flight at the newly expanded Tepic-Riviera Nayarit Airport, as Volaris begins service from Los Angeles on July 16. Backed by upgraded infrastructure and growing demand, this new route opens exciting opportunities for tourism across the state.

New Lifeguard Tower Opens at Holi Beach, Enhancing Coastal Safety

Puerto Vallarta is taking another step toward ensuring the well-being of its beachgoers with the recent inauguration of a modern lifeguard tower at Holi Beach. This newly established structure marks the fourth addition to a planned network of twelve such towers that will strategically dot the city's coastline.

Puerto Vallarta Ranks High in Cruise Tourism and Summer Travel

Puerto Vallarta is off to a strong start in 2025, welcoming over 237,000 cruise passengers from January-April and ranking among the top 10 international summer destinations for U.S. travelers. With strong cruise traffic and soaring flight bookings, the city continues to grow as a favorite for sun, fun, and relaxation.

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day at Vallarta Botanical Garden

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day on May 17 at Vallarta Botanical Garden! Enjoy a morning of birdwatching, feather science, and flower-based art as you explore this year’s theme: Shared Spaces - Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities. Fun for the whole family!

American Airlines and Air Canada Boost Winter Flights to Vallarta

American Airlines and Air Canada are expanding flights to Puerto Vallarta for winter 2025-26, making it even easier for U.S. and Canadian travelers to enjoy fun in the sun. With more daily routes from Chicago and Vancouver, this popular beach vacation destination is more accessible than ever.

Riviera Nayarit Gears Up for Thrilling Wind Festival

Kitesurfers from all over Mexico - and the world! - are preparing to hit the beaches of the Riviera Nayarit for three days of spectacular kitesurfing during the 2025 Festival del Viento (Wind Festival). This year's event will be held May 16-18 on Bucerías Beach.

GAP: April 2025 Passenger Traffic Up 9.9% at 12 Mexican Airports

For April 2025, the total number of terminal passengers at GAP’s 12 Mexican airports increased by 9.9%, compared to April 2024. Tijuana, Guadalajara, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta airports presented an increase in passenger traffic of 10.0%, 9.0%, 8.7%, and 5.7% respectively, compared to April 2024.

Mexico Cuts Cruise Passenger Tax to $5, Easing Industry Concerns

In a major win for the cruise industry, Mexico has significantly reduced its upcoming Non-Resident Duty (DNR) tax for cruise passengers to just $5 USD per person. The revised fee will take effect on July 1, 2025, replacing the much higher $42 tax that was originally set to begin in January.